Outcome KOS_D_1.3

All women and men in Kosovo enjoy more accountable, innovative, effective, transparent, and gender-responsive institutions at all levels ensuring digital access to justice, digitalization, equality and participation for all, as well as sector reforms, strategies, development programs, and plans in line with EU GE acquis norms and standards ((UNSDCF Outcome 1)

In 2025, Kosovo advanced more accountable, innovative, effective, transparent, and gender-responsive institutions across central and local levels, strengthening digital access to justice, inclusive digitalization, equality, and participation in line with the EU gender equality acquis and UNSDCF Outcome 1. A major milestone was the advancement of the drafting process of Kosovo Programme for Gender Equality (KPGE) 2025–2035, which consolidated gender priorities across economic empowerment, human development, media and gender relations, and women, peace and security into a coherent, results-oriented framework. Aligned with EU gender equality standards, the KPGE provides a long-term foundation for implementation, monitoring, and accountability of gender-responsive reforms from 2026 onward. This was complemented by the strengthening of the evidence base through the initiation of sector gender analyses in Public Administration Reform and Rule of Law, addressing structural gaps in governance and access to justice. Institutional capacities to operationalize gender equality commitments were further reinforced through the launch of policy guidance documents on digitalisation and ICT, justice, and the use of language as a driver of equality and inclusivity. These tools responded directly to previously identified gaps where institutions lacked practical guidance to translate legal and policy commitments into action, particularly in areas such as online safety, digital access to justice, and inclusive public communication. Together, these measures improved the quality, consistency, and EU alignment of sector reforms, strategies, and development programmes. Significant progress was also achieved in gender-responsive public financial management, strengthening transparency and accountability in the allocation of public resources. Gender-responsive budgeting was embedded in the 2025–2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, with 75 budgetary programmes mainstreaming gender, and GRB requirements integrated into the 2025 Budget Circular at both central and local levels. Targeted capacity building strengthened the ability of public officials, parliamentarians, and municipal actors to apply gender analysis, develop gender budget statements, and oversee budgets through a gender equality lens, contributing to more equitable and evidence-based decision-making. At the local level, institutional accountability and participation were reinforced through the adoption and implementation of an additional Local Gender Action Plan, the Municipality of Prishtina, brininging the total number of municipalities with active LGAPs to17, aligned with the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life. Civil society monitoring further strengthened transparency, learning, and accountability in local governance. Public awareness and civic engagement were strengthened alongside institutional reforms to ensure that gender-responsive policies translate ito meaningful change for women and men. Nationwide advocacy initiatives, including youth-led innovation events addressing digital violence, public campaigns during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, and engagement with media professionals, raised awareness of gender equality, digital rights, and access to justice. These efforts improved public understanding of institutional reforms, promoted responsible media reporting, and encouraged active participation of citizens, particularly young people and women, in shaping inclusive and accountable governance processes. Across EU accession and reform processes, gender equality was systematically integrated through gender reviews of IPA III Action Documents, the Kosovo Reform Agenda, the National Programme for European Integration, and administrative burden reduction programmes. Over 165 targeted gender mainstreaming inputs strengthened objectives, indicators, and measures, ensuring that sector reforms and development programmes better address gender inequalities and comply with EU standards. Collectively, these results strengthened institutional effectiveness, transparency, innovation, and public accountability, improved digital and physical access to justice and services, and ensured that women and men in Kosovo increasingly benefit from gender-responsive, participatory, and EU-aligned institutions.

All women and men in Kosovo enjoy more accountable, innovative, effective, transparent, and gender-responsive institutions at all levels ensuring digital access to justice, digitalization, equality and participation for all, as well as sector reforms, strategies, development programs, and plans in line with EU GE acquis norms and standards ((UNSDCF Outcome 1)

In 2024, Kosovo continued to make significant strides in increasing women’s access to and benefit from gender-responsive institutions. Key interventions focused on digital access to justice, gender-responsive governance, and cross-sector collaboration, aligned across all five priority areas of the Kosovo UNSDCF 2021-2025 as following: I. Accountable Governance Developing Gender Mainstreaming Guidance Documents and Advancing Gender-Responsive Governance: Two (2) draft sector-/policy area-specific gender mainstreaming guidance documents in the priority areas: digitalization and the justice sector, which commenced during the year, are designed to strengthen institutional accountability, transparency, and responsiveness to gender equality and align them with EU Gender Equality acquis . Furthermore, significant progress was made in integrating GRB into the Public Financial Management (PFM) legal framework, including the harmonization of a gender-responsive Procurement Law, Law on Audits, Organic Budget Law, and GRB-specific legislation led by the Agency for Gender Equality (AGE). UN Women’s Technical Support : UN Women provided technical expertise in integrating gender perspectives into these guidance documents and advised on their alignment with EU standards. Additionally, it supported the consultation process with relevant institutions and civil society to ensure a participatory approach. It also developed training materials to enable hands-on training for 30 budget users from four-line ministries and 35 budget users from 16 municipalities to enhance their ability to develop Gender Budget Declarations and comply with Budget Circular requirements. Impact on Women’s Access : By addressing key areas such as digital access to justice and equitable participation, these guidance documents contribute to reducing barriers for women, ensuring inclusive public services, and promoting innovative approaches in digital transformation to enhance governance participation. As a result of gender responsive PFM, budget allocations now increasingly mandate gender analysis aiming to increase investment in women-centered services and ensuring that financial resources address gender disparities in key sectors. Expanding Gender-Responsive Policies : The Agency for Gender Equality (AGE) has enhanced its ability to provide EU-aligned gender mainstreaming support across multiple policy areas and has conducted GIAs across key sectors, including public procurement, laws on energy, social housing, business organizations, and free legal aid; administrative instruction on residential services; strategic programs such as the Kosovo Program for Economic Reform; Reform Agenda – Growth and Reform Facility; European Integration 2024–2028; and Programs and their Action Plans for Public Administration Reform and Administrative Burden Reduction 2025-2028. UN Women’s Technical Support : UN Women provided technical expertise in designing and conducting GIAs, advising policymakers on integrating gender perspectives into sectoral reforms. Impact on Women’s Access : Insights gained from GIA assessments led to targeted interventions, such as the digital innovation training program, which enabled 20 women farmers from Prishtina to leverage technology for agricultural productivity and market access. Inclusive and Non-Discriminatory Social Services and Policies - Municipal Gender Action Plans (MLGAs): 13 municipalities endorsed three year/s Gender Action Plans, marking a key milestone in advancing gender equality at the local governance level. With these endorsements, the total number of municipalities with approved Gender Action Plans now stands at sixteen (16). These plans were developed through inclusive stakeholder engagement and incorporate gender-sensitive activities addressing critical issues such as employment opportunities for women, access to education, and agricultural development. To support effective implementation, municipal assemblies approved allocated budgets, ensuring that these plans move beyond policy to tangible, actionable results. UN Women’s Technical Support : UN Women played a key role in assisting municipalities with the development of these action plans by providing technical assistance through international expertise including leading the drafting process joinlty with municipal officials, including providing training to local gender equality officers and policymakers. Impact on Women’s Access : The approved MLGAs include allocated municipal budgets, ensuring concrete actions to support women’s economic empowerment and equitable participation in local decision-making. III. Resilient, Sustainable, and Inclusive Economic Development Cross-Sector Collaboration Training and Peer-to-Peer Exchanges : Capacity-building initiatives engaged over 190 municipal employees, enhancing their understanding of gender-sensitive governance. Peer-to-peer exchanges with Albanian municipalities facilitated knowledge sharing on implementing the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life. Additionally, a high-level delegation from Kosovo benefited from a visit to Croatia t o exchange best practices on aligning gender strategies with EU standards, focusing on integrating gender equality into governance processes UN Women’s Technical Support : UN Women led and co-chaired capacity-building initiatives and exchange visits ensuring that participants gained practical knowledge on integrating gender-sensitive approaches into governance and decision-making processes. Impact on Women’s Access : Strengthened institutional capacities contribute to more effective implementation of gender equality commitments at both central and local levels. IV. Social Cohesion Public Awareness and Advocacy Kosovo Country Gender Profile : Published in November 2024, the Kosovo Country Gender Profile : serves as a foundational document for guiding development programs and shaping gender-sensitive policies in Kosovo. This comprehensive profile provides an in-depth analysis of the current state of gender equality, highlighting key disparities across critical sectors such as education, employment, health, and governance. It identifies systemic challenges and barriers that hinder gender equality and provides evidence-based, actionable recommendations tailored to policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders. The profile is aligned with the EU Gender Action Plan III (GAP III) and Kosovo's strategic priorities, ensuring a cohesive approach to advancing gender equality. UN Women’s Technical Support : UN Women provided technical expertise and leadership in drafting the profile, ensuring evidence-based recommendations that are aligned with the EU Gender Action Plan III (GAP III) and Kosovo’s strategic priorities. Impact on Women’s Access : The profile serves as a key resource for the development of the Kosovo Gender Equality Program (2025–2035), contributing to long-term strategies that address systemic gender inequalities and promote sustainable, inclusive socio-economic development. V. Cross-Cutting Theme: Increased Gender Equality & Rights-Holders’ Participation Throughout 2024, Kosovo advanced its gender equality commitments by strengthening institutional accountability, governance reforms, financial policies, and public awareness efforts. The interventions across justice, economic development, and social services have contributed to reducing barriers for women, enhancing policy frameworks, and ensuring inclusive decision-making processes in alignment with EU standards. A key focus has been promoting the participation of rights-holders, particularly women and marginalized groups, in policy dialogue and governance processes. Through stakeholder consultations, capacity-building initiatives, and participatory policy development, Kosovo has ensured that gender equality is not only mainstreamed at the institutional level but also integrated into the lived realities of women and girls.